Valve covers

[Zaasu]

I have an '02 R1150R with factory painted valve covers. Up until last week they were blue to sorta match the wheels. Then almost over night the covers turned dark charcoal. I've been doing a little riding, but nothing special. Any ideas what caused this? The bild is running fine.

[ron prior]

I have an '02 R1150R with factory painted valve covers. Up until last week they were blue to sorta match the wheels. Then almost over night the covers turned dark charcoal. I've been doing a little riding, but nothing special. Any ideas what caused this? The bild is running fine.

I've noticed no one else has attempted an answer on this, likely for the same reason i haven't. I cannot figure why they would turn. The obvious thought would be heat!...but if it got that hot I would think you would know it. OK I'll ask..did you check the oil ? is it full & proper color ? For the life of me I cannot figure any other reason than heat ? I would remove one and just have a look inside, look for other signs of excess heat.

[Zaasu]

Oil is right across the red sight glass dot. Not more than 700 miles old. Running Mobile 1 20/50.
Valve covers were warm after a ride today, but not hot, you could touch with your bare hand without burning yourself.

Any ideas?

[ron prior]

Oil is right across the red sight glass dot. Not more than 700 miles old. Running Mobile 1 20/50.
Valve covers were warm after a ride today, but not hot, you could touch with your bare hand without burning yourself.

Any ideas?

Well I'm glue less then if it is not heat. Can't imagine what would change the paint color. You didn't wipe them, or polish them with anything out of the ordinary.

But I would keep an eye on the temps, just to be safe.

[towerworker]

Maybe you're just getting older and your eyes are changing? Happened to me. I call it OFD. Old Farts Disease.

[sweatmark]

I have an '02 R1150R with factory painted valve covers. Up until last week they were blue to sorta match the wheels. Then almost over night the covers turned dark charcoal. I've been doing a little riding, but nothing special. Any ideas what caused this?...

Hmm, you sure about the color change? The '02 Dakar yellow R1150Rs I've seen have blackish valve covers (single spark, of course)... The sketchy blue R1150** valve covers originated with the GS Adventure and found their way onto other R1150s like the Rocksters.

[riceburner]

The only thing I can think of is something chemically active got onto them and the heat acted as a catalyst to make it react with the blue paint.

But then I can't think what the material might be... unless you've washed it in caustic acid or something.....





any large dogs in the area??

[Zaasu]

You mean one is supposed to wash bikes?

No, I have not used any product on the bike that was not used in the past.

Oh well, mabe it's just a BMW anomaly.

The only thing I can think of is something chemically active got onto them and the heat acted as a catalyst to make it react with the blue paint.

But then I can't think what the material might be... unless you've washed it in caustic acid or something.....





any large dogs in the area??